Chapter 92: After Thousands of Springs and Autumns
Chapter 92: After Thousands of Springs and Autumns
In the world, eight or nine out of ten things are beyond one’s control.
That suicide note had already explained many things.
Yun Xiang was destined not to follow Chen Changsheng; even if she became an immortal, she might face an unclear fate.
She was Zhu Qi, but also not Zhu Qi.
The former Zhu Qi spent her whole life following Chen Changsheng’s footsteps; her life was lived in the past, but in the end, it was all loneliness.
Chen Changsheng also understood his own situation at that moment.
He would die.
Who could wait for one three years after another?
Also, Chen Changsheng did not know what had really happened in the earliest times; it hung over him like a shadow. He could feel that the road ahead might have countless difficulties and setbacks; no one could help him.
It would be better for her to live for herself in this life, not for others.
After all, she was Yun Xiang.
And not that Zhu Qi anymore.
Night fell.
Yun Xiang carefully closed the room door.
She held a package of preserved fruit in her arms and glanced back at the candlelight shining from inside that room.
This young girl had someone on her mind.
But she also knew it was not someone she could think about.
Holding that preserved fruit, she forced a slight smile onto her face.
No matter what, in her heart, Chen Changsheng was always the best person to her.
The candlelight in the room burned steadily from evening to dawn.
Chen Changsheng sat at the table with the jade pendant placed on it; he never reached for it.
The pen in his hand kept moving; that night he wrote many characters, but they were all unimportant things, just to pass the time.
When the sky grew hazy at dawn, the City God of Lotus Root Lane came to visit.
Chen Changsheng looked toward the door and said, “Enter.”
The City God passed through the door and bowed to Chen Changsheng.
“In reply, Celestial Immortal, about the person you asked me to find, I have found them,” he said.
Chen Changsheng halted the pen and turned to the City God.
The City God took out the register from before, flipped to a certain page, and handed it to the Celestial Immortal.
Chen Changsheng took it in hand and glanced at it.
“Zhu Qi, died on the twenty-seventh day of the fourth month in Tianbing Year, merit completed, entered rebirth and reincarnation.”
Chen Changsheng felt a bit dazed; he returned the register to the City God.
The City God carefully peeked at the Celestial Immortal and inquired, “Celestial Immortal, do you have any more commands?”
Chen Changsheng took a long breath and said, “Thank you, City God, but there is still one thing…”
The City God paused and asked, “Please speak, Celestial Immortal.”
Chen Changsheng said, “There is a maid named Yun Xiang at Tang Manor; I asked for you to look after her a bit from now on.”
After hearing this, the City God agreed, but in his heart wondered what was special about this maid, Yun Xiang.
Why would even the Celestial Immortal personally ask for her?
Chen Changsheng gazed at the pen in his hand; he plucked a hair and, with a wave, the hair entered the pen.
Seeing the Celestial Immortal do this, the City God was confused and asked, “Celestial Immortal, what is this…”
“I must repay you for this help,” Chen Changsheng replied.
He handed the pen over and said, “This thing has the power to drive away evil spirits and kill demons, so I gift it to you, City God.”
“I am very afraid!” the City God exclaimed.
At first sight, he could tell that pen was very special.
After the touch of the Celestial Immortal’s hands, a divine aura appeared on the pen; it was not an ordinary worldly item.
“Guard it well; if you meet evil spirits or demons later, it may help you,” Chen Changsheng advised.
He offered the pen.
The City God took it with trembling hands; he bowed and said shakily, “I thank the Celestial Immortal for giving me this treasure!”
“Go,” Chen Changsheng gently waved his hand.
Seeing this, the City God caused no more trouble; he left the room right away and went back to the City God Temple.
When he looked at the pen again, his eyes shone with joy.
With such a treasure, he could rise higher.
This Celestial Immortal was truly generous!!
At the same time, he kept the Celestial Immortal’s words in mind and did not dare to relax at all.
The morning sun rose.
A ray of light shone through the window paper into the room.
Chen Changsheng raised his head and looked, then heard Yun Xiang’s voice ring out from beyond the door.
“Sir, are you awake?” she asked.
“Come in,” he replied.
“Creeak.”
Yun Xiang carefully pushed the door open and walked in.
Chen Changsheng saw her pale face; it might be because she had not slept well last night.
He looked at her and said, “I will teach you to recognize a few more characters one last time.”
Yun Xiang paused inside and asked, “Sir, are you leaving?”
Chen Changsheng nodded and then said, “Come and sit.”
Yun Xiang pressed her lips and stepped forward to sit down.
Chen Changsheng opened that book and, one by one, taught Yun Xiang how to read each word aloud and how to write it down.
Yun Xiang listened super carefully; she did not dare to miss any part.
She acted very calm, as if she had expected this day all along. She knew Chen Changsheng had to leave, but she had not thought it so soon.
That day, Chen Changsheng taught her many characters.
She held each word in her heart; she did not dare to forget them again.
Chen Changsheng said, “You must remember, I taught you to read not so you can please others; in this life, you should live for yourself.”
Yun Xiang nodded and took that to heart.
But though she remembered it, she did not understand what it meant to live for herself…
What path should she take to live for herself?
Yun Xiang always felt there was something she did not know. She wanted to ask, but she could not bring herself to say it. It seemed like a topic that should not be asked about.
…
At noon, the father and son of Tang Manor came to see him off.
Tang Mingjing asked, “Sir, why not stay a few more days?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head and said, “No need. There are still many matters. If there is a next time, I will come and disturb you again.”
Tang Mingjing sighed after hearing this. He realized he could not keep the sir any longer.
Chen Changsheng took out a Jade Pendant from his robe and handed it to Tang Mingjing.
He said, “I have not solved this Jade Pendant. Now, I return it to its original owner. Please keep it safe.”
Tang Mingjing froze for a moment. Then he spoke, “The Jade Pendant was given to you.”
Chen Changsheng shook his head but did not explain. He just passed the Jade Pendant into Tang Mingjing’s hands.
Tang Mingjing took it helplessly. He looked at the Jade Pendant and felt confused.
Was the Jade Pendant really not meant for the sir after all?
No matter what, he did not believe it.
“The matter here is done. I will not stay longer.”
“Sir…”
Tang Mingjing opened his mouth. He wanted to say more, but it turned into a helpless sigh, “Sir, take care on your way.”
At the door, Yun Xiang’s eyes turned red. She watched as the sir turned to leave.
After the sir took several steps, she could not bear it any longer. Risking punishment, she chased after him.
Tang Mingjing paused in surprise. Beside him, Tang Shijie was also startled.
“This…” Tang Shijie was puzzled.
Tang Mingjing shook his head and said, “Dad, do not worry about it.”
Tang Shijie suddenly understood after hearing this. Then he smiled and nodded.
…
Yun Xiang reached behind the sir and called out, “Sir!”
Chen Changsheng turned back and looked at Yun Xiang, asking, “Why are you crying?”
Yun Xiang said, “Yun Xiang wants to see you off.”
Chen Changsheng was surprised for a moment.
He looked at Yun Xiang in front of him and nodded.
The two walked together toward the outside of the market.
Yun Xiang followed behind the sir, just as before.
In front of the Lotus Pond.
Yun Xiang looked at the sir and said, “I hope from now on, all things go well for you…”
“Stay safe.”
In a daze, it was as if Zhu Qi stood before Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng paused for a long while. Then he snapped back to reality and nodded. He forced a smile and said, “It must be so.”
.
.
After walking for quite a distance.
Chen Changsheng glanced back at the Lotus Pond behind him.
He suddenly stopped, feeling something in his heart.
He raised his hand to calculate, and it left him somewhat dizzy.
“This Tang Mingjing…”
Chen Changsheng gave a helpless smile and said, “After circling through thousands of seasons, that Jade Pendant ended up back in her hands.”
He sighed deeply and stepped forward.
“The word ‘fate’ is truly difficult to understand.”
Outside the market, the lotus flowers were still blooming. A gentle breeze blew over the Lotus Pond. The lotus leaves swayed, and the ripples kept moving.
It seemed like nothing happened that day.
But later, people heard.
That day, the Young Master of Tang Manor accepted a Maid as his sworn sister.